NRL 2023, St George Illawarra Dragons v Gold Coast Titans round 2 preview, official team lists, updates, injuries

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 12 Mar 2023, 05:15 PM

The Dragons will look to hit the ground running after a round one bye but they face a stiff test against a Titans team that opened their season in style at Leichhardt Oval.

Having missed the finals for the past four seasons, the Dragons must get away to a good start and then find the consistency that eluded them for much of 2022 until they finished the year with three wins on the trot.

One of those victories came against the Titans at WIN Stadium in round 23 when they piled on 46 points, their highest score of the season.

The Titans were able to regroup and win their final two matches before carrying that momentum into the Pre-Season Challenge where they put 40 points on the Dolphins and then the season opener against Wests Tigers (22-10).

With star signing Kieran Foran feeding David Fifita on the left edge and fullback AJ Brimson ever present in support, the Titans' attack looked sharp and they will fancy their chances against a Dragons defence that leaked 72 points in its two Pre-Season Challenge games.

The Dragons will again rely heavily on skipper Ben Hunt to provide direction and calmness in attack and Tyrell Sloan and Mat Feagai to bring spark out wide.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Sunday 12 Mar

Full Time

Dragons

Titans

Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

Highlights Latest

Team News

Dragons: Josh Kerr comes onto the bench with Michael Molo reverting to 18th man in the only change for the Red V. Jack Bird (knee) is back after having surgery in early February. Talatau Amone has been cleared to return to play but dropped out of the squad in Saturday's 24-hour update as he seeks more time on the training paddock before a comeback. Toby Couchman will make his NRL debut off the bench.

Titans: Jaimin Jolliffe is out with Erin Clark to start at prop. Chris Randall is the new man on the bench after overcoming a hamstring injury. Kieran Foran (cork) will play after getting through training this week. Treymain Spry will be 18th man.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Sunday 12 Mar

Full Time

Dragons

Titans

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan

Fullback for Titans is number 1 AJ Brimson
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai

Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli

Centre for Titans is number 3 Aaron Schoupp
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax

Centre for Titans is number 4 Phillip Sami
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa

Winger for Titans is number 5 Jojo Fifita
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Jayden Sullivan

Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kieran Foran
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Halfback for Titans is number 7 Tanah Boyd

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo

Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Moses Mbye

Hooker for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie

Prop for Titans is number 16 Erin Clark
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Ben Murdoch-Masila

2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a

2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Joe Stimson
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack Bird

Lock for Titans is number 13 Isaac Liu

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle

Interchange for Titans is number 14 Jayden Campbell
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Zane Musgrove

Interchange for Titans is number 15 Moeaki Fotuaika
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Toby Couchman

Interchange for Titans is number 17 Sam McIntyre
Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Josh Kerr

Interchange for Titans is number 18 Chris Randall

Reserves

Replacement for Dragons is number 17 Michael Molo

Replacement for Titans is number 19 Treymain Spry

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Darian Furner
Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:55 AM

Stat Attack

The Dragons have won three of their past four games at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
Dragons winger Mat Feagai has scored four tries in five games at Netstrata Jubilee.
Titans centre Phillip Sami has scored three tries in three games at Kogarah.
The Titans had the fifth most tackle breaks in the NRL in 2022 behind big guns the Sharks, Panthers, Storm and Roosters. The Titans had 882 tackle breaks compared to the Dragons' 751.
Dragons centre Zac Lomax requires five goals to bring 200 career goals in the NRL.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.